LOWER MAKEFIELD — At age 21, Matthew Schuler has already seen the bright lights of stardom.

Schuler, from Lower Makefield, has experienced standing ovations, a large fan base and the warm embrace of a nationwide audience thanks to his success on NBC’s hit show, The Voice.

As of Nov. 20, Schuler was one of two members left on his team, which is coached by Christina Aguilera. There are only eight people left on the show. There were 120 in the final audition.

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As talented as he is, Schuler defers much of the credit to another source.

“Everything that’s happening to me is not just hard work,” he said. “I believe it’s the hand of God. I’m a Christian. I want to give him the credit that he deserves.”

A 2011 Pennsbury High School graduate, Schuler experienced success, albeit on a much smaller scale, as the 2011 Prom King. He’s also no stranger to life on the stage as he was a cast member of the school’s production of “The Mikado.” He also played football for Pennsbury and was a captain for the school’s annual Sports Night.

Sports Night includes a series of skits, and Schuler got to take part in a montage of the performances of Schuler’s favorite performing artist, Michael Jackson.

Schuler seems amazed at the following he’s received.

“I have a fan base and I haven’t recorded anything,” he said. “It’s a wild experience. There’s so much love in the audience. People know your name -- that takes a little bit of the edge off. It’s so cool to sing songs you love for the world to see.”

When he’s in front of the crowd and cameras, Schuler said, he tries not to think about what he’s doing.

“It’s been a lot of fun and an honor,” he said. “It’s just been crazy. When I’m out there, I’m on auto pilot.”

Among the songs he has performed on the show are “Beneath Your Beautiful” and “Cough Syrup”.

In addition to Aguilara the show features Ce Lo Green, Blake Shelton and Adam Levine.

“As a coach, Christina is amazing,” he said. “She has so much knowledge and experience in the music industry. She just poured that on me. I’m blessed to be her student. She is warm and has taught me so much.”

Schuler, who marked his 21st birthday Nov. 20, wants to change the world with his music.

“I just believe music has the power to change lives,” he said. “Music has done so much for me in my life. It has been a comfort to me and I want my music to be a comfort to others. I want to be able to tell stories that people can relate to.”

The young man said his faith in God drives him and he believes that everything that is happening to him for a reason.

“My parents have ministry in our basement,” he said. “I worship with my brothers and my little sister. Hopefully, if things go well, we’ll be able to buy a building in the future.”

Both of his parents are ministers and pastors of their church, Genesis Community Church.

His mother, Dawn, is employed as an orthodontic assistant for Dr. James Riesenberger in Lower Makefield. His father, Donald, works in the sales department of Produce for Health Foundation in Delaware.

Every Sunday the Schulers sing Gospel music together.

“You can create worlds with your music,” Schuler said. “My parents taught me that. The biggest part of my life is my faith.”

He aims to combine music, faith and a love for people.

Schuler’s mother grew up singing Gospel music and leading worship service at her father’s church in South Philadelphia.

“I’ve watched her,” he said. “She’s been a main influence on me. She hits notes like Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan and Patti LaBelle. She’s so humble and just a beautiful, warm human being. She cares about people and touching their heart. I want to touch people in the deepest place where it will resonate, comfort them and give them hope. I hope I can carry on that legacy.”

Schuler said his goal in life is to help as many people as he can.

“I care about people and their hearts,” he said. “I want to encourage people and bless them. My parents have taught me life isn’t only about you – it’s definitely to give back.”

The Schuler family lives in the Makefield Ridge section of Lower Makefield Previously, they lived in Levittown, where Matthew attended Hope Lutheran Christian School before going to Afton Elementary School and William Penn Middle School in Pennsbury.

His sister, Diamond, is a senior at Pennsbury High School. His older brother, Donald Jr. (D.J.), is a 2008 Pennsbury graduate.

Schuler, who plays the guitar and some keyboard, and his brother, a drummer, write music together.

He credits Jim Moyer, vocal music curriculum coordinator K-12 for the Pennsbury School District, and Suzanne Schmidt, who taught music theory courses at Pennsbury High School before her retirement, along with many other music teachers for helping him with his vocal training.

Schuler was a tenor in various choral groups at Pennsbury High School.

He said that being prom king and a captain of sports night was an honor because his peers thought highly of him.

“I was really blessed,” Schuler said. “I had an awesome senior year. Pennsbury has been a blessing. It was an amazing experience.”

With a friend, he started the Pennsbury Christian Fellowship. He especially enjoyed being part of LYFT, an anti-drug and anti-alcohol coalition in the Pennsbury School District.

“The organization was an awesome program,” Schuler said. “It definitely helped me set myself apart and stand up for making the right choices.”

He developed leadership at school and with LYFT.

Someday, he would like to own a record company.

“I would love to be able to help other artists trying to make their mark on the world,” he said. “It’s such a beautiful thing. Art encourages you -- whether painting, writing or dancing.”

For now, he thrives on the encouragement he’s receiving as he continues on the show and wants his supporters to know how vital they are to the success he’s had and, hopefully, will have. Social media has also proven vital to Schuler, who uses Twitter and Facebook to connect with home while he’s across the country. The Voice is filmed in California.

“I love my hometown and want to give back to my hometown,” he said.

Schuler is in constant contact with his fellow Pennsbury graduates and friends at West Chester University, where he is studying business.

“I can’t wait to see them again,” he said.

The Voice airs locally on NBC-10 twice a week on Mondays and Tuesdays, beginning at 9 p.m.

The final episode will air on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

“The best Christmas present I could get is winning the show,” he said. “Win or lose, I definitely have learned so much.”